my longing eyes, and as I gazed on its cultured angel would smile again. Here is the hair of my meadows, and sunny cottages, the eye involunta- departed love, drawing from his bosom a flaxen rily singled out one from the groupe; the house of braid; and while he gazed on it his more manly the mother and the simple babe, and about to be feeling struggled with and conquered his emothat of the penitent and the husband. She had tions. "No more of this," he said, quickly restopreviously informed me that she would leave her ring the hair to his breast. father's cottage, and ere my departure, with the My trade prospered, and all went well. I had few pieces I could command I purchased the pre- already established my reputation for thrift and sent one. My ardor and affection increased by honesty, and I felt myself almost too happy when separation, I could not forbear in the ecstacy of Malvina presented me with a second pledge of the moment, rushing into the cottage. Malvina our affection. Conscience pressed me for the sprung from the cradle where the innocent was wrong and indiscretion of which I had been guillying; and as I disclosed my future views of hap-ty, and the purity of my own intentions but sepiness, and weaned her from the bitter recollec- conded the fervor with which Malvina entreated tion of the past, which still hung heavily on her mind; as I laid before her the fruits of my adventure, I was grieved to see a tear mingle with the joy with which she greeted our meeting and reunion." "Ah! my Lorenzo," she cried, "Igrieve when I think from whence you drew this store." I keenly felt the remark, inferring as it did, a suspicion of the object of my absence and adventure. "Grieve not," I replied, the money is the fruit of honest industry, and what else dare I offer so pure, confiding, and affectionate a woman?" I felt the blood rising to my cheek, and silently accusing the falsehood I was compelled to fabricate. Anxious to be freed from any further inquiries, I passed to the cradle where my babe was lying, and taking it from its sleep in the sincerity of paternal feeling, I kissed it fervently: "God bless the babe," cried I, "mayest thou be an happier man than thy father." The affectionate Malvina heard the prayer, and her looks betokened solicitude for the speaker. I anticipated her question, and said-" My love, I spoke but of the past, I was then miserable; but while I look on thee and my child, I can scarcely speak for joy. In the present all is happiness.” me to acknowledge her in public as my wife; for scandal which flies with no ordinary speed, had already diffused our tale of dishonor and secrecy to every ear in the village. We were united by a monk who resided in the vicinity, and the blessing of "mother church" expiated the inadvertency of youth, and removed the brand which the ill-natured world stamped upon the innocent, unhappy offspring. She was now my wife; and would this new tie had been never bound round my heart, or at least had lingered there till mutual death released it. My happiness was intense, unspeakable; but, oh! how brief. A few short months, too short, alas! had rolled over us as husband and wife-all in all to each other, as the stem to the parent tree; we loathed to part even in the morning, when the duties of my trade required my absence; but heavens ! will this ear ever forget the cheerful song with which Malvina was wont to hail her humble partner, when returning to his cottage after the day of labor. I see her now, he said, in a musing strain, sitting by the cradle, singing cheerfully her evening song, as she alternately watches her babe, and turns with the humble joy of a cottager's wife, to survey the neatness and order with which the delicate hand of the fair house-wife had arranged every thing for her husband's return. But to my tale of horror and misery-I had received a lucrative engagement some few miles from our cottage, whose discharge must necessarily occasion a short absence from Malvina. I had been to her a fond and faithful husband, and therefore merited her love; but ye will scarcely believe the girlish ardor with which she hung on me, and endeavor Why do ye fear me, Malvina?" I cried, "I leave ye but but for a short space, and will soon return; the period of my absence will be easily beguiled by the tenderness of maternal duty-and here," I added, giving her some pieces, "is money, expend it as you will. I never can fear improvidence or want of caution." She was contented; and we were soon seated in the deliberation of our domestic arrangements. In the cave I had early been trained to habits of mechanical ingenuity, and having displayed some inclination and talent in the pursuit, was now determined in the acquirement of my future livelihood to call it to requisition and utility. I had bade the band farewell for ever, and on account of the secluded life which my father's perilous pursuit required, I never anticipated interference ed to dissuade me from my resolution of departure. on his part; and indeed but little respecting him for his licentious vocation, never sought for a second meeting, and little expected one. By industry and future purity of life I hoped to atone for the involuntary offences into which the pliability of youth had been betrayed, and in the mutual confidence and happiness of a being I adored, to merge the guilty and tumultuous recollections of the past. One thing, however, had crept into the felicity of our fireside; and that was the separation of Malvina from her parents, who, from the moment they had observed the infidelity of character of which I had been the cause, abandoned her. She often wept when she thought on the respected couple; but the tongue of the slanderer, as it is eloquent in guile and betrayal, is equally prompt in the alleviation of circumstance and remorse. I often kissed away her tears, and my She took the money; but she wept. Oh! that that tear had sunk upon mine own heart with the voice of warning, or the infallibility of omen. I took my departure, a thousand kisses on my cheek, and a thousand entreaties for my safe and speedy return. My adventure was prosperous and lucrative beyond my most sanguine expectation; and when my thoughts reverted to home and Malvina, I felt an honest pride within me as I looked upon the gains of upright industry, and anticipated the smile and warm embrace which yet awaited my tarily stammered out the one word “father.” The return. I had been already one week absent; monk started to his feet, and violently clasping his and that to a young husband is a period of sus- hands, abjured me on my life to leave his presence; pense and anxiety, but the space was short I felt, saying, that I could not now expect hope here, and a few brief hours would see a beloved wife in or salvation hereafter. I rose from my knees; my arms. I left my employer with an industrious blood was before me, and my father's exclamation name, and returned on my way once more to rung in mine ears. The last sanctuary on earth for Malvina, my babes, and my cottage. The night the criminal and the penitent had closed its door was dark, but my longing eyes could plainly see upon me; I rushed from his apartment, despair the cheerful blaze as it glimmered through the goading me to the last violence upon myself. The lattice, and sent its cheering glow through the sur- world was before me; and a bleak unfathomable sounding darkness. The door of my cottage was precipice yawned at my feet. I scarcely knew I closed; and as I approached it nearer to raise the moved, yet the incredible rapidity of my flight latch, I heard a cry within of distress, and as I brought me the next morning in the midst of a thought of supplication also; it was Malvina's; I populous city. I recovered the consciousness of rushed forward, the door was bolted within; the the horrors of my condition, and, though not known, pain and anguish of the moment gave me the had sufficient discretion to guard against any constrength of despair, and with a fearful energy, I tingent danger, by the change of the blood-stained collected all my force, and burst it in. Heaven's garb which I buried in the earth, and the purchase what was my horror, when I beheld my wife on of the raiment of an artisan. My wife, my chilher knees, imploring the safety of her honor from dren, where are they now? I often thought, but a gigantic figure who stood over her, and was, as though I would have willingly sacrificed my life I entered about to offer violence. He started from once more to look on them, I felt I dare not return his position when he saw me, and as I contemplated to the cottage, and revive the terrors of guilt, the strong proportion and height of my antagonist, which imagination painting in vivid and glaring I felt but little hope of success in the issue of a colors, needed no assistance from location or realpersonal contest. But my heart swelled within ity. Day after day passed on, I eadeavored to me, as my wife rushed to my arms, and her tear of calm the suggestions of my harrassed mind, by the insult and terror fell upon my cheek. The man pursuit and occupation of my trade; it was vain. was disguised with mask and mantle, he spoke not The little gold I had about me at the moment of a word, but deeming the conquest easy, darted on my guilt, was already expended; I, the once me, and tore Malvina from my arms. Indignation happy and industrious cottager, was already reboiled within me, and spurned the cool reflection duced to the filth and poverty of the mendicant, of prudence; my brain was burning, and in the and disease, from the orbid state of mind and feelmadness of the moment, I grasped a knife which ing, laying her hand upon me, completed my cup lay before me; and, my frenzy heightened by the of misery and indigence. In charity, some stranaction of my opponent, who plucked from be-gers, (for I was wholly unknown, and suspicion neath his mantle a dagger, and waved it in defiance; Irushed upon him, and wounded him in the breast. The blood flowed freely, I dropt the knife; I knew not where I stood; a sea of horrors floated before me; and the peaceful, happy cottage was changed to darkness, and thronged with the images of a guilty and distracted mind—my entrance, the action and its consequence had been so rapid and violent as to preclude the possibility of sight and recognition. My sight, my hearing, every Famished, penniless, and worn in mind and sense alike failed me, when the stranger who had body, not a morsel for my lips, and not a pillow previously regarded me as I stood over him, feebly for my head, I felt by the silence and suspicion rose from the ground, and faintly crying, “my son, with which I was regarded as though my tale was my own son;" slowly left the cottage. I was a stamped upon my brow for the passer to read. murderer, a parricide. My home was now an hell; The murder of design and prepense may aggraand the beautiful form of Malvina as she clung to vate the horrors of conscience; but few have me, I unconsciously dashed from my arms, and a shrunk before the additional glow with which fearful curse burst from my lips. I felt I could no blood is tinged, when we see it flow at our own longer stand an happy man on the hearth which hands from the loins of the father who begat and resounded with the cry of murder; and ignorant nurtured us. My blow was passionate, and uninand reckless whither I went I rushed from the cot- tentional, but in the hours of remorse which suctage. Home, wife and children were alike for- ceeded, it fell with a deadlier weight upon my own gotton, and consciousness deserted me, till I found heart. I lived from day to day upon the alms myself at the feet of the holy father who had seal-which charity flung me; much as my spirit revolted the first dawn of my happiness, and was now ed against the boon which I could have cast in the to hear the confession of a self-accusing parri- giver's teeth, necessity compelled me to accept cide. I hurried on in my recital; while the monk it. My trade, my peace, and honesty had all assured of my penitence and contrition gave me abandoned me in my own eyes, and I was comencouragement and hope of pardon. He listened pelled to regard myself as the last and tottering to my hasty confession, till, asking me had I known fragment of the ruin. I had already, though unthe victim of my rashness and passion; I involun- willingly shed blood, and guilt, who is not slow in had already whispered round the probability of guilt, from the haggard wildness of my features,) conveyed me to a Lazarretto. Charity and medical assistance soon produced a favorable change in my condition, and I was dismissed from the asylum of the sick, which my despair and anguish had prayed to be my grave. It was not so however, and the desert of the world once more received the parricide and the wanderer. the seduction and conquest of her votarists, whis-author of the blow was as yet unknown; for my pered me that now nothing awaited me but the father had evidently not disclosed the event, and desperate and licentious course of the Brigand, deeming that the only circumstance which favored for which the innocence of my early years had my return to the cave. Upon Antonio's recomconceived so deeply-rooted an antipathy. But mendation I resumed the pursuit of my youth, and then my wife and children,-I crushed the thought, by the unanimous sanction of the troop was honoras my own hope and happiness had in a moment ed with the successorship to my father, and the been crumbled before ine, and bidding farewell pre-eminence which I now enjoy. Time may pass, for ever to every gentler thought or feeling, resolved to list myself in the bands of guilt and desperation. Doubtful how I should realize my design with secrecy and success, a casualty relieved my perplexity. As I was one day walking, a man, in a costume similar with my own, and carrying a basket, followed by three more bearing hampers, passed me; he was evidently hurried and rather seemed desirous to proceed unobserved. Eternally harrassed by the brooding of my own thoughts even in the most thronged and tumultuous parts of the city, however, the features of the man and his retinue struck me, as those I had once known, and still remembered. Antonio!" I cried. The man turned round, with an expression that evidently betrayed fear of his detection. "I well remember that day," exclaimed one of the band, "you may hold yourself my debtor for the consequence of our meeting." "I do," replied Sarrano," and acknowledge it. Do you not recollect me?" said I. "Well," replied Antonio. "We have often missed you in our excursions, and wondered the cause of your absence." I could scarcely stand, when, at Antonio's words, Malvina and my cottage, the murder and its hideous consequences darted through my brain with the heat and rapidity of lightning. "I have been since," I answered "pursuing a trade, a more peaceful and happier life than yours." and the precarious danger and startling events of my life, may demand my exertions, and arrest my attention; but the lapse of the one, or diversity of the other can never erase the horror of my act: and memory, while she charms, pains also, when I revert to Malvina, my children and my cottage. We have never since met. Early Home. THERE are few minds so callous as to resist the scenes of their childhood, without experiencing some emotion. And whether these are in the crowded city, amidst all the coarse and ordinary objects of vulgar life, or in the lonely valley, with its green hills and gliding streams, the same feelings swell the heart, as the thoughts of the past rush over it: for they speak to us of the careless days of our childhood, of the gay dreams of our youth, of the transient pleasues of our prime, of the faded joys of our old age. They speak to us of parents now sleeping in the dust, of playfellows in a far distant land, of companions altered or alienated, of friends become as strangers, of love changed into indifference. They speak to us also, it may be, of time mis-spent, of talents misapplied, of warnings neglected, of blessings despised, of peace departed. Fairer scenes may have been viewed than those on which the eyes first opened; but in them we behold only the inanimate objects of nature, which however they may charm the senses, or fill the "Away with such doating, as trade and hones-imagination, yet want the deep and powerful inty," said Antonio, "give me the mountain, the midnight and the spoil; and for my part you may freely take the more mechanical and laborious task of trade, with the stinted penurious gains it gives in a year, which the Brigand asks but one successful night to procure." These reckless words which would in a brighter and more innocent hour have withered my heart, fell on it now with reviving influence. Involuntary guilt and despair had cast my lot, and revolting as it was, I must draw and abide by it. My words died upon my lips as I endeavored to pronounce the word "father." Antonio unsuspectingly answered-"We have lost our chief and given him honorable burial in the mountain." He proceeded then to narrate the horrible story which had rung eternally in my own ears; that my father had left the cave that night on a secret expedition of license and amour to which he was often addicted, and that some cowardly revengeful villain had stabbed him. "I only hope," concluded Antonio, "that some good fortune may conduct his steps within our snare, and I marvel but his revenge and secrecy will be paid back on his own heart with tenfold interest." During this torturing recital, how often I wished the work of death had been completed by my own destruction. However, I was so far secure, the 1erest which seems entwined with our existence, and which gives a local habitation and a name so powerful a mastery over us. Marriage. I WOULD fain hear from those marriage haters but a shadow of reason, why I should not pronounce a modest wife the greatest of human blessings. She is the safety of that house whose affairs she administers. She is the tender and faithful nurse of your children. She is the joy of your health and your cure and relief in sickness, the partner of your good fortune and comfort in your bad. She soothes and breaks the headlong violence of youth, and tempers morose austerity of age. Will any one offer to persuade us that the educa tion of children, which are the very images of our bodies and pictures of our minds, and in whom we see as it were our very selves born again anew, affords not a delight sincere to the last degree? or that it is no satisfaction when we come to obey the laws of fate, to see a son of our own to whom we bequeath those honors and possessions of our families which we received from our parents. Savage's Letters of the Ancients. Let us not judge of a book by the author, but of the author by the book, The Billiard Table. table, accommodated the loungers, who were not ON one of those clear nights in December, when engaged at play, and who sat or reclined-solemnthe cloudless blue sky is studded with millions ly puffing their segars, idly sipping their brandy of brilliant luminaries, shining with more than and water-or industriously counting the chances ordinary lustre, a young gentleman was seen ra which would have done honor to a turbaned divan, of the game; but all observing a profound silence, pidly pacing one of our principal streets. Had he been a lover of nature, the beauty of the hea- and was well suited to the important subjects of vens must have attracted his observation; but he their contemplation. Little coteries of gayer was too much wrapt up in his thoughts, or in his spirits laughed and chatted aside, or made their cloak, to throw a single glance towards the silent criticisms on the players in subdued accents; any orbs, that glowed so beauteously in the firmament. remarks on that subject being forbidden to all but A piercing wind swept through the streets, moanthe parties engaged; while the marker announced ing and sighing, as if it felt the pain that it inflict-the state of the game, trimmed the lamps, and ed. The intense coldness of the weather had supplied refreshments to the guests. driven the usual loiterers of the night from their accustomed lounging places. Mr. St. Clair, the gentleman whom we have taken the liberty of tracing to this varied scene, at the table, who has been denouncing the adverse was cordially greeted on his entrance by the party elements which had caused the absence of several of their choicest spirits. The game at which they were then playing being one which admitted of an indefinite number of players. St. Clair was readily permitted to take a ball; and, engaging with ardor in the fascinating amusement, the circle of its witchery. was soon lost to all that occurred beyond the lit On reaching the outlet of an obscure alley, the young gentleman paused, cast a suspicious glance around, as if fearful of observation, and then darted into the gloomy passage. A few rapid steps brought him to the front of a wretched frame building, apparently untenanted, or occupied only as a warehouse, through whose broken panes the wind whistled, while the locked doors seemed to bid defiance to any ingress but that of the pier cing element. It was in truth a lonely back The intense coldness of the night was so sebuilding, in the heart of the town, but so concealed verely felt in the badly-warmed apartment which by the surrounding houses, that might as well have been in the silent bosom of the forest. A broke up earlier than usual. One by one they we have attempted to describe, that the party narrow flight of stairs, ascending the outside of dropped off, until St. Clair and another of the the edifice, led to an upper story. Ascending players were left alone. These, being both skilthese, the youth, opening the door with the fa-ful, engaged each other single-handed, and bemiliarity of an accustomed visitor, emerged from came so deeply interested as scarcely to observe the gloom of the night, into the light and life of the billiard room. the defection of their companions, until they found the room entirely deserted. The night was far spent. The marker, whose services were no longer required, was nodding over the grate; the candles were wasting in their sockets, and although a steady brilliance still fell upon the table, the back ground was dark as it was solitary. It was a large apartment, indifferently lighted, and meanly furnished. In the centre stood the billiard table, whose allurements had enticed so many on this evening to forsake the quiet and virtuous comforts of social life, and to brave the biting blast, and the not less "pitiless pelting" The most careless observer might have remarkof parental or conjugal admonition. Its polished ed the great disparity of character exhibited in the mahogany frame, and neatly brushed cover of two players, who now matched their skill in this green cloth, its silken pockets, and party-colored graceful and fascinating game. St. Clair was a ivory balls, presenting a striking contrast to the genteel young man of about five and twenty. His rude negligence of the rest of the furniture; manners had all the ease of one accustomed to while a large canopy suspended over the table, the best society; his countenance was open and and intended to collect and refract the rays of a prepossessing; his whole demeanor frank and number of well-trimmed lamps, which hung with- manly. There was a careless gaiety in his air, in its circumference, shed an intense brilliance happily blended with an habitual politeness and over that little spot, and threw a corresponding dignity of carriage, which added much to the orgloom upon the surrounding scene. Indeed, if dinary graces of youth and amiability. His feathat gay altar of dissipation had been withdrawn, tures displayed no traces of thought or genius, the temple of pleasure would have presented rather the desolate appearance of the house of mourning. The stained and dirty floor was strewed with fragments of segars, play-bills, and nut shells; the walls, blackened with smoke, seemed to have witnessed the orgies of many a midnight revel. A few candles, destined to illumine the distant recesses of the room, hung neglected against the walls-bowing their long wicks, and marking their stations by streams of tallow, which had been suffered to accumulate through many a long winter night. A set of benches, attached to the walls, and raised sufficiently high to overlook the for Mr. St. Clair was one of that large class, who please without design and without talent, and who, by dint of light hearts and grateful exteriors, thrive better in this world than those who think and feel more acutely. He was a man of small fortune, and was happily married to a lovely young woman, to whom he was devotedly attached; and who, when she bestowed her hand, had given him the entire possession of a warm and spotless heart. They had lately arrived, and being about to settle in some part of the western country, had determined to spend the ensuing spring and summer in this city, where Mrs. St. Clair might enjoy the comforts of good society until her husband prepared their future residence for her reception. me," said St. Clair; "I am neither scared nor Agreed. Now do your best, or I shall beat you." His opponent was some ten years older than himself; a short, thin, straight man, with a keen eye and sallow complexion. He was one of those persons who may be seen in shoals at the taverns and gambling houses of large towns, and who mingle with better people in stage-coaches Pestered by this impertinence, St. Clair lost and steam-boats. He had knocked about the several games. His want of success added to his world, as his expression was, until, like an old impatience; and his tormentor continued to vex coin whose original appearance has been worn off, him with taunting remarks until his agitation he had few marks left by which his birth or coun- became uncontrollable. He drank to steady his try could be traced. But, like that same coin, nerves, but drink only inflamed his passion. He the surface only was altered, the base metal was doubled, trebled, quadrupled the bet to change his unchanged. In short, he was a gambler, who luck; but in vain. Every desperate attempt urged roamed from town to town, preying upon thought-him towards his ruin; and it was happy for him less young men, and employing as much industry that his natural good sense enabled him to stop as would make the fortunes of a half a dozen before his fate was consummated, though not until mechanics. he had lost a large sum. Such were the players who were left together, like the last champions at a tournament, who, after vanquishing all their competitors, now turned their arms against each other. For a while they displayed a courtesy, which seemed to be the effect of a respect for each other's skill. It was natural to St. Clair; in the gambler it was assumed. The latter having found the opportunity he had long eagerly sought, soon began to practice the arts of his profession. The game of billiards, requiring great precision of eye and steadiness of hand, can only be played well by one who is completely master of his temper; and the experienced opponent of St. Clair essayed to touch a string, on which he had often worked with success. “You are a married man, I believe?" said he "Yes, sir," "That was a bad play; you had nearly missed the ball." 46 You spoke to me just as I was striking," said St. Clair, good humoredly. "Oh! I beg pardon. Where did you learn play billiards?" to Very likely. But I doubt whether they play the scientific game. New Orleans is the only place. There they go it in style. See there now! that was a very bad play of yours. You played on the wrong ball. You married men are accustomed to early hours, and get sleepy earlier than we do." "I did not think I had shown any symptoms of drowsiness." Vexed with his bad fortune, St Clair left the house of dissipation, and turned his reluctant steps towards his own dwelling. His slow and thoughtful pace was now far different from the usual lightness of his graceful carriage. It was not that he feared the frown of his lovely wife; for to him her brow had always been unclouded, and her lips had only breathed affection. She was one of those gentle beings, whose sweetness withers not with the hour or the season, but endures through all vicissitudes. It was the recollection of that fervent and forbearing love, that now pressed like a leaden weight upon the conscience of the gambler, when he reflected upon the many little luxuries, and innocent enjoyments, of which that lovely woman had deprived herself, while he had squandered vast sums in selfish dissipation. Having never before lost so much at play, this view of the case had not occurred to him; and it now came home to his bosom with full force, bringing pangs of the keenest self-reproach. He recalled the many projects of domestic comfort they had planned together, some of which must now be delayed by his imprudence. That very evening they had spoken of the rural dwelling they intended to inhabit; and Louisa's taste had suggested a variety of improvements, with which it should be embellished. When he left her, he promised to return soon; and now, after a long absence, he came, the messenger, if not of ruin, at least of disappointment. The influence of wine, and the agitation of his mind, had wrought up the usually placid feelings of St Clair into a state of high excitement. His imagination wandered to the past and to the future, and every picture that he contemplated added to his pain. 66 I will go to Louisa "said he. "I will confess all. Late as it is, she is still watching for me. Poor girl!-she little thinks, that, while she has been counting the heavy hours of my absence, I have been madly courting wretchedness for myself, and preparing the bitter cup of affliction for her." In this frame of mind he reached his own door, and tapped gently for admittance. He was surprised that his summons was not immediately answered, for the watchful solicitude of his wife had always kept her from retiring in his absence. |